“Please, no more. Ye’ll have my wife wondering about her husband’s ferocity when he can allow himself to be pawed by other warriors.”
“Yer wife?” The blond’s eyes widened in amazement, then he slapped his friend’s back with quite a bit of enthusiasm. “’Tis her. The she-warrior from Clan Cruadhlaoch?”
Brighit’s jaw dropped at the title.
“Devin.” Darragh’s irritated tone did little to discourage the man. “Please. My wife is named Brighit.”
“She is indeed.” The man got his exuberance under control and, with great solemnity, swept into a low bow before taking Brighit’s hands to his lips. “I am honored to meet ye, fair lady.”
Flabbergasted, she had no words, and when the second man offered the same greeting, she was beside herself. “Darragh?”
“Is Francis about?”
“’Tis still daylight. Ye know he is practicing with his men.” Devin glanced at his friend as if astonished. “What say ye, Liam? Is the young Darragh losing his mind so soon?”
Her husband rolled his eyes. “Gentlemen, if ye could but show us to a quiet place, I wish to sort out the problems ye’ve started for me.”
They both laughed. Devin called over a stable boy to see to their horse while Liam led the way within the new part of the castle, leading them up the stairs that followed along the length of the great hall to, he informed them, the recently added second floor. The new building was attached to the only part of the castle that remained intact.
Liam was at least a foot taller than Darragh and his body was huge. Hisléinewas made up of wolf skins, the head still attached on one as if the massive beast were sitting on his shoulder.
“This is where Francis’s dearest guests reside and where I presume he would also like ye to stay with yer lovely wife.”
Winking, the man closed the door behind him.
“What is amiss here?” Brighit felt totally confused by this attention. “What are they calling me… that name for? Who are these people to ye?”
Darragh put a hand to his mouth in a useless attempt at covering his laugh. Brighit swung her arms around, beside herself, and said, “I need an explanation, Darragh.”
“Come. Sit with me.” He settled on the edge of a bed very much like his own at home. Brighit sat beside him, an arm’s length away. He seemed surprised at her irritation, but she was in no mood to explain what should be very plain in her opinion.
Darragh heaved a great sigh. “I visited often when I was young. My father would leave me with Francis so I could study my letters. When I came here as a lad, I would talk about ye. I admit it. Especially when we traveled here right from yertúath.”
“And ye called me a ‘she-warrior’?”
“No.” Once again, he could barely contain his laugh, but at least he had the decency to desist when he caught her cold stare. “Theywere the ones who came up with the name. No harm or insult was intended.”
Inside, Brighit fumed. Her eyebrows felt like they were touching her hairline in her irritation. “I can see the harm. ’Tis an insulting term.”
“Never. They had great respect for ye and Aednat. Sean is a man who demands respect, make no doubt about that. Those men would never insult anyone he cares for and everyone knows how much he cares for both of ye.”
The memories of training with the older Aednat caused a tug in her heart. She had been so proud of their accomplishments. When Aednat shifted her focus from warfare to healing, she had nonetheless continued to encourage Brighit. She wished she could talk to her cousin now, find out how she should handle this terrible predicament.
“Forgiveness?” Darragh’s hand covered her own.
“I suppose.” Brighit could not remain angry when it was more a childish prank than an intended insult. “They seem to care greatly for ye.”
He smiled. “They are as close as brothers to me. Terrence is their younger brother.”
It was easy to imagine Terrence here, and those men certainly did put her in mind of him, but the mere thought of Darragh’s friend filled her with guilt. What a situation she’d put him in. Terrence always kept a discreet distance from Darragh now. There had been no time to convince him of her husband’s innocence regarding her bruises.
“I think I will lie down if ye have no need of me immediately.”
Darragh pulled back the dark green blanket covering over the bed. “I would prefer ye rest now. I will see if Francis is about and return shortly to see ye to the feast they will no doubt host for our arrival.”
After she lay down, he covered her with the blanket and then kissed her tenderly on the mouth. “Sleep well,a ghráidh.”
The large, cold hand on her cheek startled her awake. Darkness surrounded her, though the heavy coverings managed to keep her toasty warm.
